Super Bowl IX: Steelers 16 Vikings 6

Super Bowl IX: Steelers 16 Vikings 6 - MVP Steelers RB Franco Harris

Running backs Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier combined for more than 200 yards in the 16-6 victory over the Vikings. Super Bowl IX was Pittsburgh's first of four Super Bowl titles in the 1970s. With the Steelers nursing a 2-0 lead in the second half, Harris helped his squad pull away with a nine-yard touchdown run. Remembered best for reeling in the 'Immaculate Reception' earlier in his career, Harris' 158 rushing yards eclipsed the Super Bowl record established by Csonka only one year earlier. Pittsburgh outrushed the Vikings by more than 200 yards.

The Steelers made their first appearance in the Super Bowl and captured their first NFL Championship with a 16-6 victory.

The veteran Vikings, meanwhile, had been to the Super Bowl twice before. The Vikings had a savvy leader in quarterback Fran Tarkenton.

The Steelers had a strong defense but their quarterback, Terry Bradshaw, was unproven.

The first half was dominated by both defenses

Pittsburgh concentrated on the middle of the Minnesota defensive line. One defensive tackle, Ernie Holmes, played over Vikings' center Mick Tingelhoff, while the other tackle, Joe Greene, lined up at an angle pointed directly at Tingelhoff. Holmes sometimes took on the Vikings' center directly, allowing Greene to knife through and pursue Tarkenton. At other times, Greene would smash into Tingelhoff while Holmes looped behind him.

The only score in the first half was a safety registered by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Fran Tarkenton fumbled a handoff to Dave Osborn, scrambled to recover the ball in the end zone, and was downed by Pittsburgh defensive end Dwight White 7:49 into the second period.

Leading 2-0, Pittsburgh kicked to Minnesota to open the second half and forced another break and took advantage when Minnesota's Bill Brown fumbled and Marv Kellum recovered for Pittsburgh on the Vikings 30.

The Steelers took four plays to go score.

After Rocky Bleier failed to gain on first down, Franco Harris carried three consecutive times for 24 yards, a loss of three, and a 9-yard touchdown and a 9-0 lead.

Harris was named game MVP. He ran for 158 yards on 34 tries, both new highs for the Super Bowl, and Rocky Bleier added 65 yards on 17 carries. Minnesota, meanwhile, managed only 17 yards rushing.

Denied on the ground, the Vikings weren't much better in the air.

Tarkenton, under constant pressure from Greene, Holmes, White, and L.C. Greenwood, completed only 11-of-26 attempts for 102 yards -- an average of fewer than four yards per pass.

Though its offense was completely stymied by Pittsburgh's defense, Minnesota managed to move into a threatening position after 4:27 of the final period when Matt Blair blocked Bobby Walden's punt and Terry Brown recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown.

Fred Cox's point after attempt failed and the Steelers led 9-6. Pittsburgh wasted no time putting the victory away.

After that touchdown, Pittsburgh put the game on ice with a drive that began on its 34. The Steelers took the ensuing kickoff and marched 66 yards in 11 plays. The big play of the drive was a 30-yard toss from Bradshaw to Larry Brown, climaxed by Terry Bradshaw's 4-yard scoring pass to Larry Brown with 3:31 left.

Soon after the ensuing kickoff, Pittsburgh's Mike Wagner intercepted a Tarkenton pass, and the Steelers held possession until the game was nearly over.

Pittsburgh's defense permitted Minnesota only 119 yards total offense, including a Super Bowl low of 17 rushing yards.

The Steelers, meanwhile, gained 333 yards, including Harris's record 158 yards on 34 carries.

Super Bowl IX Logo

Super Bowl IX MVP: MVP Steelers RB Franco Harris

Super Bowl IX MVP: MVP Steelers RB Franco Harris

To earn the first of its six Super Bowl championships, the Pittsburgh Steelers turned to workhorse running back Franco Harris.

In defeating the Minnesota Vikings 16 - 6, Pittsburgh won its first-ever NFL championship.

Franco Harris rushed 34 times for 158 yards, breaking the record Larry Csonka set one year earlier.

After a baseball-like 2-0 halftime score in favor of Pittsburgh, the Steelers took advantage of a Minnesota fumble on the second-half kickoff. Harris ran the ball in from 9 yards for the touchdown.

Franco Harris' running and the powerful Steeler defense combined to make that lead stand.

Super Bowl IX Scoring

 

2nd Quarter

Steelers: Safety White 0, 7:49

3rd Quarter

Steelers: Harris 9-yard TD run (Gerela PAT), 1:35

4th Quarter

Vikings: T. Brown 0 blocked punt return (PAT failed), 4:27

Steelers: Brown 4-yard TD pass from Bradshaw (Gerela PAT),11:29

Super Bowl IX: Steelers Team Statistics

Super Bowl IX: Vikings Team Statistics

Super Bowl IX: Pittsburgh Steelers Player Stats

 

Super Bowl IX: Minnesota Vikings Player Stats

January 12, 1975

Tulane Stadium (New Orleans, Louisiana)

Attendance: 80.997

National Anthem: Grambling State University Band

Coin Toss: Bernie Ulman

Halftime Show: "Tribute to Duke Ellington" with Mercer Ellington and Grambling State University Band

Network: NBC

Announcers: Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis, Don Meredith and Charlie Jones

Nielsen ratings: 42.4 (est. 56 million viewers)

Cost of 30-second commercial: $107,000

Super Bowl IX Steelers & Vikings Highlights

Super Bowl IX: Ticket & Championship Ring

 

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